Wilhelmsen Foundation - Ocean Conservation

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Enriched Nordic · Found: 2026-03-11 08:07

Wilhelmsen Foundation ocean conservation and sustainability initiatives, bridging maritime industry and conservation.

Source: https://www.wilhelmsen.com/foundation/

Funding Details

Funder: Tom Wilhelmsen's Foundation (TWS)
Funding Goal: To distribute gifts or contributions to institutions, groups, or individuals supporting scientific, social, humanitarian, and cultural measures, as well as scholarships for performing artists and youth education, study, or research. The foundation focuses on significant programs in maritime, medicine, arts, and culture.
Funding Amount: No stated upper limit; awards depend on project nature, needs, and duration. Recent grants range from NOK 500,000 to NOK 25 million. Total commitment approximately NOK 260 million during 2022-2025 (~NOK 60-90 million per year). (500.000 € – 25.000.000 €)
Deadline: April 15 / October 15 (recurring twice yearly) (Rolling)
How to Apply: Applications are submitted through the foundation's online portal during two annual windows: March 15 - April 15 and September 15 - October 15 for project funds, and September 15 - October 15 only for scholarships. No email confirmation is sent upon submission; the portal confirms receipt. Spring applicants are notified by end of May; autumn applicants by end of November. No individual feedback is provided for declined applications. Additional documentation cannot be submitted after deadlines close.
Target Region: Norway (primarily), with some international humanitarian projects
Contact: Foundation office located in Lysaker, Norway. Contact page available at wilhelmsen.com.
Official Page: https://www.wilhelmsen.com/about-wilhelmsen/tom-wilhelmsens-foundation/
Last Checked: 2026-03-12 05:38

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Applicant must be an institution, group, or individual working in scientific, social, humanitarian, or cultural fields

Project Scope

Project must align with the foundation's four focus areas: maritime, medicine, arts/culture, or humanitarian/environmental

Required Documents

Application submitted via the foundation's online portal (no email confirmation sent; portal confirms receipt)
Applicants must review and accept the foundation's privacy statement before applying

Constraints

Applications for project funds must be submitted during open windows: March 15-April 15 or September 15-October 15
Scholarship applications only accepted September 15-October 15
No additional documentation can be submitted after the application deadline closes

Summary

The Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation (TWS) is a private, independent Norwegian foundation established in 1965 by shipowner Tom Wilhelmsen, based in Nøtterøy, Norway. It distributes project funding and scholarships to institutions, groups, and individuals across four main sectors: maritime, medicine, arts and culture, and humanitarian/environmental initiatives. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded more than 3,000 scholarships and provided approximately NOK 260 million in project support during 2022-2025. The foundation accepts applications twice yearly for project funds (March 15-April 15 and September 15-October 15) and once yearly for scholarships (September 15-October 15). There is no stated upper limit on funding amounts; awards depend on project nature, needs, and duration. Recent grants range from NOK 500,000 to NOK 25 million per project. While the foundation is not specifically an "ocean conservation" program, it has a significant maritime component and has funded environmentally relevant projects including the UArctic Seabed Curtain glacier preservation project (NOK 2.5 million annually), the Redningsselskapet "Smart Saver" emissions-reduction boat initiative (NOK 22 million), coastal action initiatives through Oslofjordens Friluftsråd (NOK 1.5 million), and a rope recycling pilot project through RopeHope (NOK 500,000). It also funds marine pharmaceutical research at UiT-MARBIO and a professorship in marine industries at BI Norwegian Business School.

Historical Context

Founded in 1965 by shipowner Tom Wilhelmsen. Has awarded more than 3,000 scholarships since inception. Provided approximately NOK 90 million in project support in 2022, NOK 60 million in 2023 (including NOK 6 million in scholarships). Total commitment of approximately NOK 260 million during 2022-2025. The Opera & Ballet Prize has been awarded annually since 2009.

Sources

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